Splinter Cell fans received quite the treat in Ghost Recon: Wildlands with the latest Special Operation allowing them to team up with Sam Fisher. Whether the mission is any fun or not is something we can’t confirm. However, if you do successfully complete it, there’s a clever reference to Metal Gear Solid hero Solid Snake. Check out the video below courtesy of MRJ on YouTube.

After finishing the mission, Sam Fisher meets Karen Bowman and talks about how they don’t make agents like him anymore. He then references “this other guy” who was into “Army infiltration” and wore a “bandana or something”. Bowman responds that the man finally retired, to which Fisher replies, “Then it’s only me…” When you put things into that kind of context, it’s kind of amazing to look back on the history of both characters.

Of course, the impact of the line is sold well by Michael Ironside, who’s returned to voice Fisher. It’s funny because in the very beginning, Ironside wasn’t too keen to take on the role. Speaking to IGN, Ironside explains, “Sam was this one-line, two-dimensional character. There [were] no organics to him.”

Eventually, he worked with Ubisoft Montreal to rewrite the character. “We created a backstory. We created a family [for him], and where he goes, and what he does, and who he trusts.”

At the end of the interview, Ironside leaves a bit of tease by stating, “Let’s see if the storylines allow an organic [way to bring] Sam back.” Would Ubisoft put in this much effort just to have Sam Fisher in a cameo for Ghost Recon: Wildlands? Or is a new Splinter Cell indeed being announced? Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.